eOne and TF1 said Suite Francaise will begin shooting on June 24 in Belgium and Paris with Michelle Williams, Matthias Schoenaerts and Kristin Scott Thomas in the lead roles.

“This inspired project has drawn a very talented team of partners together,” said eOne’s Xavier Marchand.

“Harvey brings an unparalleled savoir-faire and we’re absolutely delighted to join forces with The Weinstein Company on Suite Française.”

Suite Française is set in 1940s France and is based on the international best-selling work of late, tragic writer Irene Nemirovsky who died in Auschwitz in 1942.

Williams will the beautiful Lucile Angellier, who is awaiting news of her prisoner-of-war husband. She leads a stifled existence with her mean, controlling mother-in-law played by Scott Thomas. A regiment of German soldiers take up residence in her village. The handsome and refined German officer Bruno, played by Schoenaerts, is billeted with them. Lucile tries to ignore him but soon a powerful love draws them together and leads them into the tragedy of war.

Fifty years after her death, Nemirovsky’s unfinished novel, Suite Française was discovered by her daughter. TF1 DA acquired right to the book in 2007 from Denoel Editions and the novel has since been adapted for the screen by director Saul Dibb (The Duchess) and co-writer Matt Charman.

“Irene Nemirovsky thrilled the world when they discovered her novel,” said Weinstein, who will be executive producer.

“Having worked with Michelle Williams on a number of films including Blue Valentine and My Week with Marilyn I am excited to partner with her once more. I enjoyed working with Xavier Marchand on The King’s Speech and Saul Dibbs wrote an exceptional script and I am sure he’ll direct a brilliant film.”

Suite Française is a France/UK/ Belgium coproduction and will be released in France (TF1), while eOne will handle direct distribution in UK, Spain and Canada. Sales agent, TF1 International is in advanced negotiations for other outstanding territories that will be announced later in the festival.

Marchand will serve as a producer on behalf of eOne, alongside Romain Brémond who will serve as a producer on behalf of TF1 DA. The film is being produced by Qwerty Films’ Michael Kuhn and Andrea Cornwell.

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